A SKETCH IX THE TROPICS. 149 



ing embrasures the vessel was rapidly approaching. 

 The husband and wife stood upon the cabin stairs, 

 gazing, with breathless anxiety, at the fortress. 



As the schooner arrived opposite the castle, a small 

 postern leading out upon the jetty was opened, and 

 an officer and six soldiers issued forth. Four men, 

 who had been lying on their oars in a boat at the 

 jetty stairs, sprang up. 



The soldiers jumped in, and the rowers pulled in 

 the direction of the schooner. 



" Jesus Maria y Jose ! " exclaimed the lady. 



" Madre de Dios ! " groaned her husband. 



At this moment the fort made a signal. 



" Up with the helm ! " shouted Captain Ready. 



The schooner rounded to; the boat came flying 

 over the water, and in a few moments was along- 

 side. The soldiers and their commander stepped on 

 board. 



The latter was a very young man, possessed of a 

 true Spanish countenance grave and stern. In few 

 words he desired the captain to produce his ship's 

 papers, and parade his seamen and passengers. The 

 papers were handed to him without an observation ; 

 he glanced his eye over them, inspected the sailors 

 one after the other, and then looked in the direction 

 of the cabin, expecting the appearance of the pas- 

 sengers, who at length came on deck, the stranger 

 carrying one of the children and his wife the other. 

 The Spanish officer started. 



